Whitman Teaches the Movement enhances civil rights education

Whitman College expands successful program civil rights education program in Walla Walla schools
Whitman College students embarked this week on its fifth year of teaching civil rights in Walla Walla schools through the Whitman Teaches the Movement initiative. Working in small groups, 50 Whitman College students will travel to all 10 local schools through Feb. 5 to lead 45-minute lessons on civil rights education. The lessons are age-appropriate and include the Greensboro sit-ins, Jackie Robinson, feminism in the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Cesar Chavez. This year the program expanded to the youngest students yet: first graders. It was the idea of Whitman College’s student organizers, including Nicole Antenucci ’18.

“We decided to add first grade to the program this year to target younger students before they form biases and stereotypes,” said Antenucci.

The first-grade curriculum focuses on the story of Ruby Bridges, the American activist known for being the first black child to attend an all-white elementary school in Louisiana in 1960. The first graders will express their reactions to the stories by drawing pictures. Those will later be displayed on the Whitman College campus and at the Walla Walla Public Library.

Walla Walla Assistant Superintendent Laure Quaresma is a strong supporter of this partnership. After attending the student training sessions, Quaresma said Whitman Teaches the Movement supports shifts in the Washington Learning Standards and fosters important skills.

“The anti-bias framework presented supports the development of individual pride and confidence without denying these same values for all people,” says Quaresma. “It creates an opportunity to support critical thinking focused on social justice.”

The effects of Whitman Teaches the Movement reach beyond the Walla Walla community. The program is also being used as a model for schools across the country. The University of Washington, Eastern Washington University and Whitworth University have all implemented similar programs modeled after Whitman’s own.

PHOTO: Whitman College student Liz Chenok leads Berney Elementary 2nd grade students (Mrs. Holbrook's classroom) on a mock demonstration as part of the Whitman Teaches the Movement civil rights education program.